Emma Ward

Experienced education, SEND and mental health professional with an MA in Music Therapy, HCPC registration and more than a decade of work across specialist education, therapeutic services and community settings. Skilled in building trusted relationships with young people whose complex needs create barriers to education and participation, including autism, PDA, ADHD, emotional regulation and school avoidance. Strong record of person-centred support, multi-agency coordination, staff development, specialist provision design and helping individuals progress towards ambitious educational and personal goals, as well as a genuine love for working with young people with additional needs.

Support Worker and Team Leader at Client's Family (2025-04 – Present)

• Provide highly individualised 1:1 support to a young person with complex autism, PDA, ADHD and mental health needs, adapting communication and support to sensory, emotional and behavioural presentation.
• Built a trusting relationship that increased confidence, independence and engagement with education and the wider community; directly supported exploration of courses and an application to university, a major personal milestone.
• Train and guide support staff in PDA-informed practice and act as the communication link between the team, family and professionals across the Local Authority, college and university.

Teacher at The Chiltern School (2024-09 – 2024-04)

• Manage EHCP documentation and develop individualised approaches to emotional regulation and behaviour for pupils with complex SEND.
• Design and implement positive behaviour plans and maintain a safe, supportive learning environment that enables pupils to participate and progress.

Teacher at Pebble Brook School (2023-09 – 2024-09)

• Led accessible music teaching across the school, adapting lessons for pupils with a wide range of learning and additional needs.
• Provided learning and behavioural support within the higher-needs department and played a key role in establishing a new specialist behavioural provision.

Music Practitioner at Electric Umbrella (2023-01 – Present)

• Facilitate inclusive live music-making with adults with learning disabilities, promoting participation, self-expression and positive representation throughout the community..

HLTA then Teacher at Broadfield Academy (2021-03 – 2022-12)

• Progressed from HLTA to Student Teacher, planning and delivering accessible learning for pupils with diverse needs, including EAL learners.
• Maintained safeguarding standards and effective communication with children, families, colleagues and visiting professionals.

Project Lead at Musical Changemakers Project (2021-09 – 2022-01)

• Led delivery within a collaboration spanning three North East music services, coaching colleagues twice monthly and reporting research findings to senior stakeholders.
• Project findings contributed to securing funding for a further year, demonstrating impact in evaluation, stakeholder engagement and service development.

Music Therapist at The Dales School (2020-09 – 2021-09)

• Delivered Music Therapy for pupils with additional needs, using collaborative music-making and songwriting to support therapeutic goals and positive peer interaction.
• Worked within a multidisciplinary team including psychology, medical, nursing and physiotherapy professionals to evaluate progress and contribute to holistic support.

Music Therapist at St Luke's School (2019-01 – 2020-09)

• Helped establish and teach within a pioneering specialist PDA provision in Hertfordshire for children who had experienced significant barriers to school attendance.
• Developed and delivered bespoke Music Therapy interventions responsive to each pupil's needs and personality, promoting engagement, emotional safety and positive experiences of education.

Music Therapist at Thrive Arts Education (2011-07 – Present)

• Deliver individual and group interventions; assess needs, agree therapeutic goals and evaluate progress through qualitative observation and session documentation.
• Collaborate with families, carers and professionals to support social, emotional, cognitive and physical development while maintaining HCPC standards.

Teaching Assistant at RNIB Sunshine House School (2015-09 – 2016-09)

• Enabled children with complex physical, sensory and communication needs to access learning and participate as independently as possible.
• Provided personal and healthcare support, including medication administration, care needs and safe moving and handling using hoisting equipment.

Learning Support Assistant at Alexandra School (2014-09 – 2015-09)

Musical Director at Camp Lindenmere, Pennsylvania, USA (2013-06 – 2015-08)

MA in Music Therapy – Guildhall School of Music and Drama (2018)

BA (Hons) in Music, Classical, 2:1 – Leeds Conservatoire (2014)